Switch.



PATENTED APR. 24, 1906 E. P. ROBBINS.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 001 .20, 1905.

3 SHEETSSHBET l.

(3M p/j/ 6%.

witness 2 4 a/M LM (MM PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

E. P. ROBBINS.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION IILIJD 001. 20. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2'.

Q vi memes PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

B. P. ROBBINS.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 20. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I kill witness UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD PLATT ROBBINS, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE: HALF TO HERMAN E. HOHBERGER, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

' SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD PLATT Ron- BINS, a citizen of the United States of Americe, and a resident of Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switches, and is especially adapted to be used in the equipmerit of street-railways; and it consists, primarily, in an automatic device for shifting the pivotal rail of the switch, by means of which the course or travel of the car is changed or diverted and made to travel in a different direction or shifted to a siding, switch, or intersecting tracks.

It is well known that in 'order to switch the car from the tracks that it is running on to parallel tracks or tracks intersecting the tracks upon which it is running a portion of one rail is pivotally connected to one end of the adjacent rail, with the end tapered and adapted to lie in close contact with the opposite parallel rail, and when it is desired to switch the car it is necessary for the motorr'nan to stop the car and throw the switch or pivotal portion of the rail in or out of contact with the rail, which is usually accomplished manually by the motorman with an iron rod kept on the car-platform for that purpose.

The objects of my device. are to afi'ord fa cilities for running a car from the main tracks onto a switch, siding, parallel tracks, or to switch the car to the tracks of an intersecting street at the will of the motorman and without leaving or stopping the car.

A further object of my device is to arrange signal-lights so that they can be operated simultaneously and in conjunction with the switch for the purpose of indicating to the motorman the open or closed position of the switch, so that the motorman can ascertain without stopping the car the position of the switch, and to chan e it, if necessary, so as to divert the travel of the car to a switch, siding, or tracks of an intersecting street from the platform of the car automatically. i

The invention primarily consists of an electrically-operated mechanism for shifting the switch or pivotal rail which receives the current from the trolley-wire through the medium of a trolley mechanism adapted to be, brought in contact with contact-plates gugpunded on each side of the trolley-wire and means of indicating by signal lights the position of the pivotal rail of the switch.

I attain these and other objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure I is a plan view showing the relative position of the shifting mechanism sig- Hal-lights, contact-plates, and method of conducting the current of electricity from the trolley-wire to the shifting mechanism and method of conducting the current to the signal-lights. Fig. 2 is an end view of the trolley mechanism. Fig. 3 is a side view of the trolley mechanism, showing the throw of the levers upon which the contact-rollers are mounted in dotted lines, also one pawl in mesh with a notch cut in the periphery of one collar formed on one side of the trunnionsupport. Figs. 4 and 5 are top and side views of the trunmien-support which is made in two parts and adjustahly clamped to the trolley-pole. Figs. 6 and 7 are end and side views of one of the twin levers, showing slot into which a pin projects to regulate the throw of the levers. Figs. 8 and 9 show bot: tom and cross-sectional views of the hollow cones which are secured to the trunnion-support. Figs. 10 and 11 are bottom and side views of volute helix-springs which are compressed and inserted in the hollow cones. Figs. I2 and 13 are top and side views of the trolley-guard. Fi 14 shows a top view of the cylindrical shel and contact-plates. ,Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical shell, taken on a line through the center of Fig. 14, showing the method of attaching and suspending the shoe-contact plates on each side of'the trolley-wire and method of-insulating the trolley-wire from the han ers. Fig. 16 is a side view of the cylindrical shell, trolley-clamp, and shoe-contacts. Fig. 17 is a side view of one, of the shoe-contacts, show ing the curvatures of the ends. Fig. 18 shows a side and end view of the solenoid-plunger. Fig. 19 shows a side and end view of the rectangular bar-brackets. Fig. 20 showsa side and end view of the tension forked contacts. Fig. 21 shows a side and end view of an arm which is secured to the plunger andcarries the shifting-rod, showing curved portion oi orts the ing.detail of shifting and signal-light mech' Water-drip. Fig. 24 is a top plan view showanism with plunger shown in dotted lines and fitted to reciprocate in the apertures of .the solenoids, which are attached to the aux- .iliary bottom of the casing by brackets. Fig. is a side elevation of Fig. 24. 26 is a side elevation of a box containing the signal lights and colored bulls-eyes.

In the drawings, 0. represents a box rovided with a removable cover b,.wh1c is placed below the surface of theground or pavementand is adapted to completely inclose the shifting-rod mechanism except the projecting portion of the rod. The box or casing is. preferably made bf galvanized iron and is provided with an auxiliary perforated bottom, uponwhich the solenoids d and d are securely mounted in direct. alinement with each other. The-purpose of perforating the bottom is to allow any water that might find its way. into the box to drip through the apertures into the chamber (3, preventing it from coming in contact with the mechanism. The solenoids are secured to theauxiliary bottom by the brackets f. The apertures h h in, the center of the solenoids are lined with brass bushing of suitable gage and size. A lunger g, having both ends h and 72. enarged, is fitted to the inner periphery of the bushings and adapted to reciprocatetherein when the solenoids are charged successivelyby an electric current, as will be described hereinafter. A bracket-arm i is adjustably secured to the central portion of the plunger 9, which smaller indiameter than its ends.

The arm t is secured .to the plunger in verti cal" position and travels between the guides y'a d e inner ends of the solenoids when movement is imparted to the plunger. The guides prevent lateral movement of the arm 1.. The free end of the arm i is provided with anda erture into which one end of a shiftingro end of the shiftin -rod projects outside of the box or case with t e end is looped just outside the end wall and-supported andjournaled in th'e box W. The looped end 7: is :bent at right angles with the body portion with a socket Z, formed or made integral with the end, to receive and adjustably secure one end of a connecting-rod m, the. opposite end of the connecting-rod being loosely attached to v the pivotal switch portion m of the rail. This completes the description of the shifting mec an1sm which is operated through the medium and in conjunction with the trolley mechanism which- 'I will now describe.

T9, the trolley-pole immediately underneath the trolley-wheeli'l and the, harp 2 a trunnlonedsupport. 3, made in two parts, is

adjust'ably secured to the pole 4. Contiguouswith the projecting trunnions 5 enlarged collars 6 are. ormed on'e'ach side or part of the trunnionedsupport; Twin levers 7' and is adjustably secured. The opposite .attac evers. Thesmall coil of-the. 'springsrest against the inner faces 24,0f the top of the cones,'with the end of the wireforming the vtop or small coil bent at right angles and. in-

-8', having an enlaried lower ortion correin a predetermine position. 7 To the upper portion of the free ends of the levers 7 and 8 rollers 14 and 15 are journaled-onthe rojecting ends of bolts 16 16, which exten toward afidon each side of the'trolley-wheeL- Ears 17 17 are made integralwith the levers,

havingapertures therein into which differentcolored ropes are inserted, leaving thefree endshanging down in close proximity to the trolley-ropes (Not shown in drawings.)

When it is desired to release the pawl for the purpose intended, the operator pulls down on the rope with a quick or rapid movement, in which case the pawl will'n'ot catch in the notch, butrotate on the lug to a'vertical position andv will beheld in saidposition bythe stop-pin 10; After the pivotal rail again pulls the rope downward, but with a slow movement, when the'pawl; Will-fall intothe notch'and hold the leverinofi" position or at an inclination with the trolley-pole.

The levers through'the" pawls are retained in mesh with the notches on'fthe collars under spring'tens'i'on as follows';' Helicalvolute springs 18' are compressed and inclosed within 'the hollowportions 19 6f the "cones 20, which are secured to each end of the trunnions 5'by ordinary bolts, which engage with the screw-threaded."apertures 21 inclosingthe trunnions 5. The s rings surround the lugs, with thebottom or arge coil resting on the face of theenlarged portion of the'leve'rs. The end 22 of the wire forming the large coil of the sprin s is hooked or looped around a ied'to the lower portion ofthe serted in the apertures 26;.provided in the top of the hollow cones. This arrangement connectathe levers and cones together, and when the cones are rotated on thetrunnions the springs are tightenedor wound closer, creatlng more'or less tension. The pressure of the springs are exerted to draw-0r partially rotate the levers when the pawl is vreleased from engagement with the notch.

shown in Fig. 3, they are held in place under 1S thrown to the desiredposition the operator f When the leversar'e hel'din off position, as

rollers reach the highest point of their travel or throw when the levers aline with the trolleypole.

A. cylindrical shell 25, having a screw- .threaded cap 26, is suspended over the trol- E lay-wire 27 at a suitable distance from the switches, sidings, or intersecting streets by try-wires, which are secured to the arms 29 hy attaching the ends of the wire to the eyes 30. The arms 29 are attached to the exterior of the shell by any well-known fastening means. A hanger 31 is inserted in the center of the shell, and any wellltnowninsulating material is poured or pressed around the upper portion of the hanger, filling the shell retaining the hanger and insulating it from the shell. The lower portion of the hanger is enlarged and provided with a screw-threaded aperture 32. A trolley-clamp 33 is.secured to the hanger by the screw-llneaded boss 34, which engages with the screw-threaded aperture 32. Adjustable twin brackets and 35 are secured to the arms 29 on each side of the shell. tontactplates 37 and 38, with both ends 39 curved upward, and contactfaces 40, made concave to afford facilities for,

the rollers contacting with the plates readily and without undue lT1Ct101't,t1l0 secured to the hangers 35 and 36 by the screw-threaded apertures'll in the ends of the hangers. The

hangers are adjusted in the sleeves 43 and retained in place after adjustment by setscrews The mechanism used to operate the signallights is as follows, (see Fig. 24:) To the side of the casing or box a, two brackets 45 and 46 are secured. The ends of the brackets are provided with rectangular apertures, into which a bar 47 is fitted. Two forked contacts l8 and 49 and insulated from ach other are udjustably mounted on the bar with the slotted ends 50 in alinement with each other. A bracket-arm 51 is adjustably secured to the plunger g of the solenoid, carrying a knifecontact piece 52, which is secured to the end of and insulated from the bracket arm. hen the plunger is reciprocated, the knifecontact piece is alternately brought in anti out ol contact with the forked contacts, coinpleting and breaking the light-circuits running to lights placed behind bulls-eyes of difterent colors, which are connected in an ordinary light series on the pole in the box 53.

Reference-figures 54 and 55 represent the bulls-eyes placed in the box, which are made of different colors.

Reference-numerals 56 and 57 indicate the lights secured to the interior of the box behind the bulls-eyes.

The operation of my device is as follows, (see Fig. 1:) When the car approaches a switch, siding, or an intersecting street, the conductor observes the color of the bulls-eye that is lighted up by the electric light behind it. which indicates the position of the switch. If the position of the switch is such that it will not direct or shift the travel of the car in the direction the conductor is required to run, he pulls downward on the rope that is attached to the lever he desires to operate. The downward throw of the lever releases the hooked pawl from its engagement with the notch on the collar, and the lever rotates or is thrown forward, carrying the roller which is secured to the lever with it. The lever is held at a higher point of its travel or throw than it is held when it is locked by the pawl, and when the moving car reaches the point where the contact-plates are suspended on each side of the trolley the roller contacts with the contact-plate A and the current of electricity is conducted through the wire A from the trolley-wire to the solenoid A magnetically charging or. excitin it, and thence I to the rail B, making a complete circuit, and

the plunger is drawn into the solenoid A When the lever on the opposite side is re-' leased, the plunger is drawn or attracted to the solenoid C, moving the shifting mechanism in the opposite direction in the same manner as described.

A flexible wire D'is connected to an ordinary light-circuit on one end, and the opposite end is connected to the knife-contact pieces carried by the. arms. The returnwires E and l are connected to the signallights and to the wire G, which connects each light-circuit alternately as the contact-piece is brought in and out of contact with the forks.

It will be noted that the signaldight mechanism and shift in g-switch mechanism operate in conjunction with each other and simultaneously. The ropes through \vhich'the levers of the trolley mechanism are operated are preferably made light in weight and of different colors to correspond with the bullseyes in the box.

The guard is adjustable on the trolley-pole and solocated as to prevent the trolley mechanism from coming in contact with the wire when the trolley-wheel leaves or jumps the wire. If the car travels the same route, the levers can be retained in a fixed position.

Having described my invention, what- I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a switch, a trunnioned support secured to the trolley ole underneath the trolley-wheel, rotating evers mounted thereon,

rollers secured to the free ends of the levers, pawls pivoted to said .levers,-means for retaining said levers in a predetermined position under tension, means for releasing said Y levers permittin themto rotate, means for conducting an e ectric current to a shiftingrail mechanism connected to the pivotal rail of the switch alternately closing and opening said switch at the will of the operator'as described and set forth.

2; In an automatic electric switch for street-railways, a trolley mechanism secured to thetrolley-pole, contact-plates suspended on both sides of'zthe-trolley-wire, means for bringing the trolley mechanism in contact with the-plates, solenoids secured to acase or box inahnement with each other, a plunger fitted tore'ciprocate in apertures-in saidsog lenoids, 'anarm seciired to said plunger, a shifting-rod attached to said arm, a-Gonnecting 'rod securedtoone end of the rod with. the

' opposite end secured to the pivotal rail of the pivotal rod vswitch, means for conductingan electric current to'the solenoids exciting them alter nately, and forcing the shifting-rod to reciprdhateand'throw the switch to correspond with the direction it isdesired to move the car in, signal-lights connected to and o erated' con unct1on with the shifting mec 'anism as described and set rorth.

I 3. In an automatic electric switch for s'treet rallways, a trolley mechanism secured underneath the trolley-wheel, contact-plates :su spended'on each side-of thetrolley-wire, a box placed underneath the surface of the ground having an auxiliary bottom, solen with alight series.

4. In an electrically-operated switch, a trolley mechanism secured to the trolleypole, contact-plates having the under portion made concave. with both ends curved upward, said platesbeing hung on each side of the trolley-wire, a trolley-clamp suspended from an insulated shell. resting on the wire, a box placed underthe surface of the-ground, solenoidsattached to an auxiliary bottom, a plunger fitted to apertures provided therein, an arm secured to said lunger-,'a shifting-rod adjustablysecuredto tl efree end of said arm, a"'connecting-rod secured to the pro ecting end of'the shiftir'ig-rod on one end and-the on the opposite end, an-arm 'se-- cured to the shifting-rod having a knife-contact attached to the free-end, forkedcon-- tacts secured to a bar and adapted to contacttherewith when the plunger is operated said contacts being wired to a light series.

5. In an automatic switcn, a trunnioned' support cIa-mpedto the trolley-pole, levers mounted thereon having their free ends projecting upwardly at an incline, rollers journaled to bolts passing through apertures in the free ends, pawls pivotally secured to the inner faces of each lever, collars made contiguous with the journals of the trunnioned support having notches formed in the e-' riphery thereof and adapted to meshwith the hooked portion of'the pawls, sto -pins secured to the face of the collars mes ing with' slots formed in the lower portion of the levers, volute helix springs attached to the end of the levers, cones adapted to inclose said springs, one end of said cones being connected to thebent end of the small coil in such a manner as to connect the cone and levers together under tension with means of decreasmg or increasing the tension of the spring, 7

whereby the levers are made to rotate when the pawls are released as described and set forth.,

6. In an automatic electric switch, comprising a trunnioned support adjustably secured to the trolley-pole, rotating levers secured'tosaid support under tension means for releasing said levers, means; for limiting the rotation of said levers, contact' plates suspended on each sideof the trolley wire, means for regulating the throw of the levers tocontact with the plates and conduct the currents from the tro ley to excite or charge the solenoids operating th'efshifting mechanism as described and set forth. I

7. Inan electric switch comprising a trolley mechanism, s contactplates, a. shifting mechanism, brackets, a rod, forked contacts secured to said rod, an arm carrying a knifecontact, means for alternately making a cirv cuit withlights placed in a box behind different-colored bulls-eyes, as described "and set forth.

8. An automatic switch for streetrailways,' J

comprising a support having projecting lugs madeintegral forming a trunmon, levers jour-* naled on said lugs, awls pivotally secured to said levers, collars having notches formed in the eriphery thereof, a guard secured to the trol ey-pole, a spiral spring connected to the levers, cones adapted to inclose thelugs and springs, said springs being compressed and exerting a pressure against thelower portion of the levers vpreventing lateral motion.

' *9. In an automatic switch, a trunnioned support secured to the trolley-pole, levers journaled on said trunnion'swith'the free ends extending on each side of the trolleywheel, pawis ivotallysecured to said levers, volute' helix springs, cones ,inclosing' 'sald springs, earsmade integral with said levers,- contact-plates s'uspended 'on each side of thetrolley-wire, means of conducting an electric current to a shifting-rail mechanism as described and set forth. 4

10. In an electric-switch mechanism, comprising a trolley mechanism, contact-plates sus ended on each side of the trolley-Wire, a shitting-rail mechanism adapted to impart movement to the switch-rail, brackets secured to one side of a box placed under the round, a bar supported by said brackets, Forked contacts adjustably secured to said bar, an arm secured to the shifting mechanism, a knife-contact secured thereto and adapted to be moved in and out of contact with the forked cont-acts whereby an electrical connection is made with a light series connected to lights placed in a suitable box I as described and set forth.

11. In an automatic electric switch, a trunnioned support, levers rotatably mounted thereon under tension, pawls securedthereto and ada ted to retain said levers in a predetermine osition, contact-plates, means for bringing t 1e trolley mechanism in and out of contact with said plates, a shifting mechanism connected to the switch-rail, means for operating said mechanism by an electric current transmitted from the trolley with a signal-light mechanism operated in conj uncti on withsaid shifting-mechanism wherebv the position of the switch is indicated by lights placed in a box behind bulls-eyes of difl'ei-ent colors, said light mechanism being electricall connected with light series alternately.

igned at Mansfield, Ohio, this 17th day oi October, 1905.

EDWVARD PLATT ROBBlN S. Witnesses:

JoHN H. Coss, N ELLIE CASEY. 

